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A charming Montreat home has come on the market, and it’s worth a trip up to see. 340 Texas Rd, with its central location and its bedroom capacity, offers plenty of room to enjoy the amenities of this friendly, accessible community.

Located just minutes from Lake Susan and the Conference Center, this nicely updated home has a large screened-in porch that overlooks a stream. The main level has the kitchen, dining area and half bath, along with the living room with gas stone fireplace. In addition to 4 large bedrooms, the upstairs also has a bonus room and full bath. The sunlit ground floor has another bedroom, along with the laundry room.

From this home, new owners can take advantage of the numerous hiking trails as well as the eclectic shops and dining spots in nearby Black Mountain. If you’re thinking about becoming Montreat homeowners, why not check out Greybeard Rentals Montreat listings and come up for a week or a longer stay and get a sampling of what it’s like living here. We at Greybeard love the area, and several of us have chosen Montreat as the place to call home. So if you’d like to learn more, please contact Greybeard Realty and let’s talk about your moving up this way

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Third quarter numbers of western NC real estate are in, and the market seems to be holding fairly steady to its latest upward trend. While growth in some areas is small, there are a few particular statistics that may be very telling about the market to come.

Buncombe County

The number of units sold countywide is up a solid 4% from 3073 for this period in 2015 compared to 3192 for the same period this year. Total sales volume for this period is up 16% from 854.8 million in 2015 to $988.8 million this year. As those increases indicate, there has been an increase in average price of 11%, from $278,156 in 2015 to $309,764 this year. As has been discussed in the most recent market reports, this increase in price was expected due to a shrinking market and an increase in demand.

And that leads to the most interesting statistics in this data, the days on the market (DOM) and the sales price/list price percentage. In the county, the number of DOM has shrunk from 124 days in 2015 to a mere 72 days in 2016, year to date, and sales price is 98% of asking price for 2016. That means that homes are not staying on the market very long, and buyers are not getting much negotiating room at this time.

Black Mountain

The Black Mountain real estate sales market is a little different. There’s only a slight change in the number of units sold, 164 in 2015 down to 162 in 2016, a 1% decreased. Similarly, sales volume is down a small 2% from $42.3 million to $41.6 million in 2016. As that indicates, there has been a negligible change in the average price from last year. It’s important to note, however, that this statistic also may be indicative of the small supply that is available in Black Mountain right now. Anecdotally, there are interested buyers who have not been able to find a home because of the small number of homes available for sale at this time.

Interestingly, there has been a similar decline in DOM for Black Mountain, down from 141 days in 2015 to only 79 days in 2016. And again at the same time, the SP/LP percentage has increased, from 95% of asking price to 98% of asking price. And the number of units on the market has increased 15% to 129 from 112 in 2015. In this instance, there were 38 units, or 29% of the homes listed as on the market, under contract at the time the numbers were extracted for analysis. If that number is extracted from the number of units listed on the market, then the supply may actually be a bit tighter than last year at this time.

Conclusion

So what can be garnered from these third quarter numbers? First of all, it’s important to recognize that the Black Mountain market is smaller, making some of the numbers seem more dramatic than they are. It seems apparent that buyers are out there looking, as the DOM has decreased so dramatically across the board. Also, it seems as if perhaps sellers have decided that they can get a good price for their homes and perhaps people who were holding off on selling have now moved forward.

In the months to come, it will be fascinating to watch what interest rates do, with a rumored increase in late 2016 anticipated. While that shouldn’t have any immediate impact on buyers or sellers, it may be what’s pushing both buyers and sellers forward in this positive real estate market right now. As usual, time will tell.

And in the meantime, Greybeard Realty is ready to show you the home of your dreams. Whether you're considering a NC mountain home or the ideal Asheville log cabin for your own escape, it's a great time to own your own place in western NC. Come on up and settle into your own peaceful mountain place.

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Vijay Director on Tuesday, Nov 15, 2016

hey Chip and Graybeard friends,
do your numbers show what the difference in sales price is in Black Mountain from 2015 to 2016? I see 11% for the county bu too not se the comparative numbers for BM.
thanks.

GreyBeard Realty on Tuesday, Nov 15, 2016

It was a .5% decrease. Black Mountain's market is strong -- days on market is much lower than last year and inventory is down. This just reflects the inventory that has sold. Thanks!

If epic views from an immaculate Black Mountain log home appeal to you as a homeowner, you’ll want to take a look at 36 Winding Poplar, a 3-bedroom, 4 bath home located in the gated community of Laurel Ridge.

This 4,269 sq ft home is located just minutes from Black Mountain and Asheville and offers remarkable vistas from its two separate decks. The open floor plan features cathedral ceilings and two stone fireplaces, one located on the porch deck. In addition to its granite countertops in the kitchen and wood floors throughout, this luxurious log home also has a private game room and basement wine cellar. The meticulously constructed interior complements the outdoor living spaces, including the decks which feature natural, rustic railings. With its log construction and its convenient location, this lovely home makes an appealing full-time home or vacation home.

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Visiting Asheville in the fall? Take a tour on the Gray Line! This hop-on-hop-off tour in a trolley is a great way to learn about the history of Asheville as well as interact with the bustling downtown. With 10 spots including the diverse Montford Historic District, Art deco-rich downtown, legendary Grove Park Inn, as well as the edgy River Arts District.

A 469-mile drive winding through the Southern Appalachians, the Blue Ridge Parkway is a must-see! Fall brings brilliant foliage that can’t be beaten. Whether you just take a drive through parts of it or get out of the car and hike, the Blue Ridge Parkway is a can’t miss in the fall!

Visit the Folk Art Center

While on your Blue Ridge Parkway adventure, you can’t miss theFolk Art Center located at milepost 382, and just 5 minutes from downtown Asheville. Home to the Southern Highland Craft Guild, the Folk Art Center showcases Southern Appalachia’s finest traditional and contemporary crafts.

Take a Farm to Table Tour

Take a tour with Asheville Farm to Table Tours and visit sustainable family farms where farmers specializing in cheese, chicken, produce, beef, or lamb share their passion and knowledge. At the end of the tour the Chef prepares a delicious meal made with the food from the farms you visited that day. Don’t just experience the uniqueness of Asheville, taste it!

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For some, residing in western NC is synonymous with living in a log cabin in the woods. If you are one of those people, you’ll want to look into 29 Woodhaven Lane. This 3-bedroom, 2-bath log home fits the bill perfectly.

Located in the gated community of Laurel Ridge, this charming Black Mountain home has a great room with vaulted ceilings and a large stone fireplace. The lofted master suite has exposed beams and a bathroom with a claw-foot tub. With a 1.56 acre wooded lot, there’s room to explore and ramble. Additionally, this home would make a fantastic vacation rental as one of our most popular rental requests is for a secluded log cabin in the woods! Despite its secluded feeling, this lovely home is only minutes from downtown Black Mountain. For owners who like a peaceful locale without losing access to amenities, this home is a great choice.

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Several Greybeard staff and Realtors call Black Mountain home, and we can’t think of a better place to live. This new 3-bedroom, 3-bath home, 25 Lake Ave, is within walking distance of downtown Black Mountain, meaning new owners are just steps away from everything this fine town has to offer.

Constructed in 2013, this lovely home features an open floor plan with vaulted ceilings. It also has a large covered front porch to sit and watch the world go by. That’s only appropriate as Black Mountain is viewed as the “Front Porch of Western NC.” With cork floors, granite counter tops and stainless-steel kitchen appliances, this carefully-crafted home offers modern amenities with old-style charm. The interior and exterior woodwork as well as the large stone fireplace work to give this home a great cottage feel. And the fenced-in backyard makes a wonderful area for children or grandchildren to enjoy. It’s only a mile from the Montreat gate which means new owners will be in proximity to the Montreat trails, some of the finest hiking in western NC.

For more information about this home, please contact Greybeard Realty. And feel free to browse through Greybeard Realty’s other Black Mountain home listings as well. Those of us that live in Black Mountain are always happy to talk about the quality of life we’re afforded here. With good schools, great outdoor activities, and unlimited cultural and dining options, there really isn’t a better place to call home.

One aspect of hiking that we haven’t really talked about is how to prepare to hike. We’re not talking about conditioning. We will leave that up to you. It’s more about being prepared, as even a day hike can become more of an adventure if you’re not ready for whatever comes along. As an example, one of our Realtors recently went out to walk on a large piece of land he was planning to show the next day, and he noticed that with the sun obscured by clouds and the lot completely covered by lush greenery with no paths, he quickly became disoriented. That’s why this “how to pack for a hike” website came to mind. If you’re going to hike, even just a day hike, it pays to prepare. Cell phones can lose battery power and be out of cell service, so a compass is a good idea. And, if you live up here and decide to take a multi-day hike, the packing list is a bit longer. Even a seasoned traveller can become disoriented in unfamiliar territory, and if you live up here you know the weather can change in an instant. Take some time to prepare before you head out. It can really make a difference.

And if all of this talking about frequent hiking has you yearning to live up this way, why not look at the listed for sale at Greybeard Realty. Even if you aren’t interested in relocating permanently, this could be just the time to buy that second home. Greybeard Rentals management services offers superior property management, and you can slip away and head up this way whenever you get a chance.

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Round Knob Lodge, recently listed for sale by Greybeard Realty, has history, charm and remarkable amenities available on site. With two stocked ponds, a stream with a waterfall, and 29.4 acres to explore, new owners will think they’ve bought a piece of paradise, not just a home.

Built in the mid-20th century by a group of railroad buffs this mountain getaway has 6 bedrooms and 5.5 baths which enables the owners to host a large number of people comfortably. In the past, this home has served as a rental house and a special events site for weddings and family reunions. While it has the rustic feel of a mountain retreat, it has undergone expansive remodeling so it includes the expected modern conveniences, including a large, up-to-date kitchen. In addition to the Great Room which can accommodate up to 25 people, there’s a Game Room, accessible via a spiral staircase, that has a pool table, foosball, dart board and a bar with an ice maker. With close to 6,000 sq ft, this fine mountain retreat is a short 15 drive from Black Mountain though with its amenities the new owners may prefer to just hunker down and enjoy their peace.

For more information about this distinguished home, please contact Greybeard Realty to schedule a time to see it for yourself. And if this home is a bit larger than you need right now, please take a look at Greybeard’s other residential listings and see if something catches your eye. And while you’re on the website, take a look at Greybeard's events calendar to see what’s happening. We’ve all chosen to live here because of our love for the area, and we’d be excited to have you join us up here.

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Often times, when we’re choosing a new place to live like the Asheville area we get caught up in the school system, the nearby medical facilities, and the overall quality of life. Don’t get us wrong; all of that is relevant. We also value the outdoor opportunities, however, and we think this new list of Marmot’s top ten Asheville hikes is a keeper.

Hiking is something many of us here at Greybeard Realty enjoy, and we offer some hiking spots on the Greybeard Rentals activities website. What is great about this list, however, is that it covers places a little further distance from town. So yes, you can learn about Crabtree Falls and Old Mitchell Trail, but you also can read up on Waterrock Knob, located 33.7 miles from downtown Asheville. See, that’s what’s great about this new listing. First of all, it tells you exactly how far most of the hikes are from Asheville, how difficult the hike is, and why the site is significant. And secondly, it offers some hikes that are a bit further out from town. In fact, through the article you can access a “bucket list” of Asheville hikes that has more than 25 locations within 100 miles of an Asheville home. This list is possibly more helpful to people who live in the area than people who have already travelled for an Asheville vacation and want something closer to town.

Greybeard staff and Realtors spend lots of time enjoying the remarkable outdoor offerings in the Asheville area. We hike, bike, ultra-marathon, and whitewater raft, among other activities. To us, the Asheville area is unmatched in its possible outdoor pastimes. It’s why we love living here, and why we think you would too. Take a look at Greybeard's western NC residential listings and contact us to go check out a few homes. It’s just the beginning of your mountain adventures.

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Your western NC vacation time may have come to an end, but you can have your own Black Mountain vacation home, fully furnished, when you purchase 69 Kalmia Drive. This 3-bedroom, 3-bath home provides panoramic views within the private, gated community of Creston.

This craftsman-style home, constructed in 2009, has an open concept floor plan with a large stone fireplace as a focal point. Located on a 2.45 acre flat lot, the house has a large deck and screened porch which enhances the opportunity to appreciate the natural beauty of the area. The home’s simple lines and numerous windows complement the flora and fauna as well. The street name of Kalmia is taken from the genus of the Carolina Mountain laurel that grows abundantly locally. The community of Creston features a gated entrance with waterfalls and trails, along with a mountaintop clubhouse. With the pristine condition of this home, which includes its furnishings, a new buyer can move in right away and begin to appreciate the amenities immediately.